POLICE are carrying out inquiries into an incident on the M5 near Bristol this morning, which saw a tipper lorry collide with an overhead gantry. 

The lorry struck the gantry between junction 17 (Cribbs Causeway) and junction 18 (Avonmouth) at around 8.20am, closing the motorway in both directions. 

The incident displaced matrix signage, severed electrical cables and saw hydraulic fluid spill onto the highway. There were no reported injuries.

The northbound carriageway re-opened at around 5.20pm, with the southbound carriageway expected to open later this evening.

Southbound traffic will continue to be diverted via the M4 westbound to the M49 to rejoin the M5 at junction 18.

National Highways recovered the lorry bed, which had become embedded in the gantry, removed the gantry fittings and signage and carried out safety inspections after the police had concluded their investigations at the scene.

Somerset County Gazette: The tipper lorry's bed was recovered this afternoon.The tipper lorry's bed was recovered this afternoon. (Image: PA Picture Desk/National Highways)

Police are now seeking information from motorists who witnessed the collision or saw the lorry involved in the moments before it took place. 

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “Enquiries are being carried out following a collision on the M5 near Bristol this morning (Thursday, March 2).

“We were called at approximately 8.20am after a tipper lorry collided with a overhead gantry on the southbound carriageway between junction 17 (Cribbs Causeway) and junction 18 (Avonmouth).

“We understand the lorry joined the M5 at junction 17 and are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or the vehicle in the moments leading up to the incident.

“Dashcam footage from drivers in the area and showing the lorry would also be gratefully received.”

Anyone with information should call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5223050000, or complete the police's online appeals form.

Terry Robinson, south west engineering manager for National Highways, said: “We were forced to close the M5 today to protect the travelling public and given the scale of the damage, we and our teams have been working extremely hard to ensure we could reopen by this evening.

“The incident occurred on a particularly busy section of the M5, we have been working with our police partners throughout the day, and we appreciate the closure has caused significant delays to people’s journeys.

“The gantry is now perfectly safe but the extent of the damage means we will need to replace the structure and we’ll be looking to move a new gantry into place in the coming days, under a planned overnight closure.

“We’ll communicate that once we have a date confirmed, and in the meantime we thank all drivers for their co-operation and patience today.”